Haraz N. Ghanbari, The Associated PressChris Paul and the Hornets opened an East Coast road swing with a 109-98 victory over the Washington Wizards.

WASHINGTON - Chris Paul recorded his sixth triple-double of the season, scoring 30 points to go with 13 assists and 10 rebounds as the New Orleans Hornets defeated the Washington Wizards 109-98 Wednesday night at the Verizon Center.

It was the second time this season Paul had a triple-double against the Wizards.

Center Tyson Chandler had 11 points and 10 for the Hornets, while guard Rasual Butler had 21 points.

The New Orleans Hornets began to take control of the game, thanks to a 15-2 third-quarter run and lead after three, 85-68.

Chris Paul is threatening to record his sixth triple-double of the season. He has 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Nick Young has come off the bench to score 14 points for the Washington Wizards.

Second quarter

Thanks to Chris Paul's 10 points in a 3 1/2-minute span within a 12-2 New Orleans Hornets run, the Hornets have fought their way back into the game, trailing 46-45 at halftime.

The Hornets have led the game just once, that with 1:06 remaining in the half when David West hit a layup, 45-44.

Paul has hit five of seven from the field.

Antawn Jamison continues to lead Washington with 15 points.

First quarter

Thanks to an 11-2 run, the Washington Wizards built a 12-point first-quarter lead, then held on as the New Orleans Hornets rallied to cut it to six at the end of the quarter, giving the Wizards a 28-22 lead after one.

Hornets center Tyson Chander has already surpassed his points and rebounds total from Monday night's 10-point loss at Atlanta. Chandler has six points and frive rebounds to lead New Orleans.

Antawn Jamison leads the Wizards with 11 points.

Pregame

The New Orleans Hornets will be without backup center Sean Marks for tonight's game against the Washington Wizards because of illness.

Marks remained at the team's hotel with flu-like symptoms. Marks also did not attend Wednesday morning's shootaround. He will be replaced by Hilton Armstrong.

Backup shooting guard Morris Peterson, however, is in uniform and able to play for the first time since he sprained his left foot on Jan. 28. Peterson has missed 20 games with the injury.

Hornets Coach Byron Scott, however, said he was unsure whether Peterson would be utilized against the Wizards.

Peterson was looking forward to getting back into a game, though.

"I'm ready to go; if they need me, I'll be there," Peterson said. "I feel pretty good today, but I feel like I'm a rookie again, like it's my first night. For the last week I've been practicing and trying to prepare myself to come back and today I got the OK. I feel good about it."

Peja Stojakovic will miss his fourth straight game because of back spasms, replaced in the starting lineup by Julian Wright.

"He feels much better," Scott said of Stojakovic, "but for precautionary reasons, we'll give him a couple more days. Hopefully he'll be ready Friday (in Milwaukee) or Saturday (in Chicago). That's what we've been banking on. It's no rush."